children return to their schools, thinking of those 26 families from sandy hook elementary. last night, the president assured them he will take action, saying they are not alone. and, as we said, this week here at abc news, we will join the search for answers about gun violence in america. but we do begin this evening in a community that is shattered e but holding on, and abc's dan harris, who has been there from the start, watched as the funerals began today. dan? >> reporter: diane, good evening. this growing carpet of cards and flowers and teddy bears behind me is a symbol of a community that is hoping, in the words of one of the signs here, that love will get them through this. first, though, they need to get through the funerals, which began today. today, in newtown, a funeral for noah pozner who was eulogized as a boy who liked animals, video games and mexican food. he used to tell people he worked in a taco factory. at his funeral, an onlooker collapsed as the procession passed. inside, his mother shared stories that had everyone in tears. >> when she told him i love you his ans

sandy hook changed everything, and now focusing on these issues will be at the forefront of his agenda. the president promised action. >> so, i will use all the powers of this office to help advance efforts aimed at preventing more tragedies like this. we won't prevent them all, but that can't be an excuse not to try. >> reporter: he pledged that his administration would look at the mental health, education, cultural and gun control aspects of this tragedy. and to head the effort, he appointed vice president biden, an author of the 1994 crime bill, which contained a ban on some semiautomatic rifles. the team will report back by next month, the president said. the president hopes to capitalize from this national moment, when eve some pro-gun rights democrats are calling for change. today, he demanded congress take real action right now. ban the sale of high capacity ammunition clips. close the so-called gun show loophole that does not require background checks in many private sales. and ban the sale of what he called military-style assault weapons. >> if we're going to change thi